All 52 passengers stranded on the Russian research ship Akademik Shokalskiy in Antarctica for nine days were rescued by a Chinese helicopter on Thursday.
The helicopter from the Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, transferred the passengers to an ice floe close to Aurora Australis, an Australian Antarctic supply ship.
\”I think everyone is relieved and excited to be going on to the Australian icebreaker and then home,\” Chris Turney, leader of the Russian expedition, told the Associated Press by satellite phone from the Russian vessel, which has been stuck in the ice since Christmas Eve.
He posted on Twitter that the helicopter had arrived at the Akademik Shokalskiy, saying \”huge thanks to all\”.
The helicopter Xueying 12, or Snow Eagle 12, made six trips to pick up all the passengers and their luggage.
The passengers comprised scientists, tourists and journalists who were scheduled to follow in the footsteps of Australian Douglas Mawson and his 1911-14 expedition.
via Chinese helicopter saves 52 in Antarctica – Chinadaily.com.cn.
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